OVLC Restoration Volunteer Highlights
The OVLC has been fortunate to have a number of locals volunteering at our preserves. A regular volunteer group at both the Ojai Meadows Preserve and the Ventura River Steelhead Preserve is Once Upon a Watershed. Once Upon a Watershed is an outdoor education program that provides hands-on watershed education, restoration, and stewardship to 4th, 5th, and 6th grade students in Ventura and Ojai. The program cultivates a sense of shared responsibility for our whole earth system, instilling confidence and hope by empowering young people to make a real difference at the local watershed scale.
Nordhoff High School students enrolled in Environmental Field Studies joined the OVLC to plant purple needle grass plugs and native shrubs species at the Ojai Meadows Preserve. In the program, students also propagated other native species in their own native plant nursery at the preserve, and were able to follow through and plant them in the preserve as well.
Earlier this year, the OVLC fostered a new partnership with Ojai TEAMS. Ojai TEAMS serves students, aged 18-22, with moderate to severe disabilities; specifically, the school provides services for students who can benefit from training that will ensure their greatest quality of life after they complete their public education. Students and teachers from Ojai TEAMS volunteer weekly at the Ojai Meadows Preserve to assist with weed management. “The students’ work with the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy has been an opportunity for them to help with the beautification and restoration of a natural area within their own community. Students are learning about different animal and plant species, working to eradicate invasive species, and enjoy this area as a place to hike and relax during their time outside of their school program,” said Evan Elder, M/S SDC Teacher/Case Manager.
A special thanks also goes out to Emily Hovendick from the California Conservation Corps, and Rainey Barton, a Ventura College student, who have been volunteering weekly at the Ojai Meadows Preserve planting native species, eradicating invasive plants, mulching, and most importantly, stewarding their projects at the Ojai Meadows Preserve.
The Sespe Fly Fishers Club joined the OVLC at the Ventura River Steelhead Preserve for a morning of planting along the river floodplain. Together the group planted 45 coast live oak trees that will create shade and habitat near the river and improve riverbank stability during floods.
Volunteers give thousands of hours to the OVLC each year. Planting, watering, weeding, trail building, and office help are just some of the ways people help the OVLC. It takes a community to steward these lands and we thank all of our volunteers for their countless hours of dedication and hard work.
